Chick-fil-A to use chicken without antibiotics

NEW YORK — Chick-fil-A says its plans to serve only chicken raised without antibiotics within the next five years.

CANDICE CHOI, AP Food Industry Writer

NEW YORK — Chick-fil-A says its plans to serve only chicken raised without antibiotics within the next five years.

The Atlanta-based chain says it's working with suppliers to build up an adequate supply for its nearly 1,800 restaurants. It says it's asking suppliers to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to verify that no antibiotics are administered on the chickens at any point.

The use of antibiotics to fatten up farm animals and prevent disease has become a growing concern. The fear is that the practice could lead to the growth of antibiotic-resistant germs, though the actual health effects on humans have not been established.

Still, many consumers don't like the idea of eating meat raised with antibiotics, and serving meat was raised without antibiotics can be a marketing advantage for companies.

Tim Tassopoulos, Chick-fil-A's executive vice president of operations, said in a phone interview that the company planned to keep customers updated on its progress in coming months and eventually advertise its completion in stores.

"We're going to make sure customers know," he said.

Chipotle has also made its commitment to "responsibility raised" meat without antibiotics a part of its identity, which has no doubt helped fuel the Mexican food chain's popularity. But supply issues have forced the chain to use conventionally raised meat at times, most notably for beef. For chicken, Chipotle says less than 1 percent of its meat was conventionally raised last year.

Chipotle says the chicken it advertises as antibiotic-free is verified as being so by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, Tassopoulos says that the switch to chickens raised without antibiotics would likely result in higher prices for customers, but said the company is working with suppliers to ensure it's "minimal."

Chick-fil-A says its conversion will require "changes along every point of the supply chain — from the hatchery to the processing plant." The company's suppliers include Tyson, Purdue and Pilgrim's Pride.

Chick-fil-A is based in Atlanta and has locations in 39 states and Washington, D.C.

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